Liverpool and Portugal Star Diogo Jota and Brother Killed in Car Crash in Spain
Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward, and his brother André Silva tragically died in a car crash near Zamora, Spain, police confirmed on Thursday. The incident was also acknowledged by Liverpool FC, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the crash occurred on a remote stretch of highway roughly an hour west of Zamora. Authorities reported that the brothers’ Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire. Firefighters were dispatched as the flames spread to nearby vegetation. No other vehicles were involved, and investigators are exploring the possibility of a blown tire causing the crash. Forensic analysis is underway to determine who was driving at the time.
Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, were the only individuals in the car. The tragedy comes shortly after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22. The couple shared three children, the youngest born last year.
Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club from Wolves in 2020. During his five-year tenure, he won the Premier League title in May, as well as the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups. His brother André played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.
“Liverpool Football Club is devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the club said in a statement. “We will make no further comment at this time and request privacy for Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff as they process this unimaginable loss. We will continue to offer them our full support.”
Fans laid tributes at Anfield in memory of the two brothers. UEFA also issued a statement expressing condolences and announced a moment of silence during Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.
Jota began his professional career with Paços de Ferreira and went on to play for Atlético Madrid and FC Porto before rising to prominence at Liverpool. He earned 49 international caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals and playing a key role in their UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025.
In a heartfelt message, the FPF said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva. Diogo was not only a brilliant footballer but also a remarkable individual who brought joy to all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to their family, friends, Liverpool FC, and FC Penafiel.”
The FPF also requested UEFA to observe a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain.
Tributes poured in from across the football world, including from Liga Portugal and Atlético Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s Portugal teammate, expressed shock and sorrow in a social media post.
“This makes no sense. We were just together with the national team and you had just gotten married,” Ronaldo wrote. “To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my deepest condolences and all the strength in the world. You will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
